American Magic Test Boat Launched

The New York Yacht Club's challenger American Magic has launched their test boat. Photos show five crew on board, so it is probably close to the maximum 12 meters of length - 39 feet - permitted by the Protocol. Remember that INEOS Team UK has a test boat built from a much smaller Quant 28.

Each side of the yacht has a large cockpit for crew and a smaller one with a seat for the helmsman. At the right edge of the photo below, you can see the helmsman in the seat. In the above below you can see the seats.

The four skippers answered the question "What are you looking forward to in the 36th America's Cup?" when they were in Cowes for the AC Overture at the end of August. They all are excited by the new boat. Ben Ainslie said, "Quite how it's going to work, how we're going to be able to sail it, I don't really know yet, I don't think anyone knows."